I feel like it is necessary to begin this story with a quick disclaimer: I have never acted in a Langley High School production. In fact, my last dramatic performance took place in the second grade, when I played the troll who haunted the bridge in the tale of The Three Billy Goats Gruff.

However, over the past few weeks I’ve spoken to students involved in Langley theatre and realized this one major regret of my high school life: I should have made a fool of myself in a theatre audition, tried to serve as an extra in a production , or begged a friend to let me in their One Act production.

Had I done any of those three things, it probably would have been option number 3: beg a friend to let me in their One Act production. From speaking to friends in One Acts and seniors who have enjoyed their first acting experiences in a One Act, I realize what an incredible opportunity they present to students.

If you’re interested in theatre, but stuck in sports practices during the fall and spring or simply not ready to take place in a full-on production, One Acts provides the ideal middle ground to make your acting debut, without much of the stress.

I wish I’d learned this lesson as an entering freshman, not a graduating senior, but I think the lesson I learned the hard way by not participating in Langley theatre extends past McLean—try to make a fool of yourself occasionally. Embarrassment is temporary, but the knowledge stays with you.